The Cote Chalonnaise is a wine producing region in the Saone-et-Loire department of Burgundy, eastern France. It is made up of five key wine-producing communes, separated from one another by only a few miles. Running for 20 miles (32km) from north to south these are Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, Givry, Montagny.
The Chalonnaise, as it is often called, is located between the Cote de Beaune to the north and the Maconnais, just to the south. There is a clear division between these two regions, conveniently marked by the boundary between the Cote d'Or and Saone-et-Loire administrative departments. While Beaune is planted firmly along the limestone escarpment of the central Cote d'Or, the vineyards of the Chalonnaise are more scattered, planted according the location of the limestone soils which characterize the local terroir. The temperature here is not noticeably warmer, but the local hilly topography does lead to slightly lower rainfall. The climate is continental, with relatively cold winters and warm dry summers which bring good ripening conditions to the area's vineyards.
As is the case across Burgundy, the presence of limestone is vital to the wines made in the Chalonnaise. The increased minerality of wines made from vineyards with limestone soils is highly valued, and the best vineyard plots are often those with a high content of limestone in their soils. Soil types go hand-in-hand with topography, and the south-facing slopes which overlook each of the communes are the prime contenders for Premier Cru status. This is particularly obvious in Givry, where the most prized vineyards are dotted around south and south-east facing slopes surrounding a quarry.
The two key grape varieties grown in the Cote Chalonnaise are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, although Gamay, and various other red and white mutations of the Pinot family are grown in smaller quantities.
As with the Maconnais, there are no Grand Cru vineyards within the Chalonnaise, although four of the five communes have a number of vineyards rated Premier Cru. Oddly (given that it is closest to village the Cote d'Or) Bouzeron is the only commune without Premier Cru vineyards.
The regional Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise appellation is applicable to all areas of the Chalonnaise, providing entry level wines to complement the communal appellations and their Premier Cru wines.
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